Someone sent me this article and I thought it was incredibly interesting. The article discusses the differences in the appearances of the brains of those having Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and those without. In that sense it IS very interesting. However, what I find more interesting, as someone who has never doubted that CFS is anything but "REAL" is that different types of medicine have different types of views on the causes and condition of CFS. I am not surprised that the brain does look different but I dont think that the brain is CAUSING the CFS. In my opinion, the body and brain have highways in both directions and one effects the other. It works both ways. I think it would be very interesting to study the appearance of the brain of the person having CFS and then marking the changes that occur at intervals during alternative treatment for the CFS. In the past, it has seemed that this condition comes along with a lot of judgment from society-as if ther person having the CFS is "making it up". Hopefully articles like this one will show that is not the case. But, it is so much more than the appearance of the brains of people having CFS. CFS is something that often goes along with other chronic unwellness such as IC, fibromyalgia, vulvadynia, etc...Chronic conditions often occur simultaneously. In Chinese medicine, a condition such as CFS considers origins such as Yang deficiency, Yin deficiency coupled with Qi deficiency and often goes hand in hand with something called Dampness. These are simplifications and in truth, CFS is quite difficult to unravel and each paradigm has its way of focusing on this. But, it is quite real and can be treated effectively. In any case, I thought this was an article very much worth sharing to underscore the fact that science is taking a closer look into a condition that has largely been misunderstood. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2813823/Is-proof-chronic-fatigue-DOES-exist-Scientists-three-differences-brain-suggest-condition-not-just-mind.html
Dr.M
Comments
Great post! Regarding
Great post! Regarding fatigue, my husband has fatigue in the middle of the day. He currently drinks a soft drink and eats a candy bar to "wake up." He is currently searching for healthy ways to feed his body. Do you reccomend any teas or approved foods like raw cacao as a midday pick-me up? He gets up at 4:30 AM for work, but has plnety of energy on his days off.
I am so glad to see that more
I am so glad to see that more research is going into this, long over due. I agree that it is a two way street, like you have described many other times with the brain gut connection. I know for me the worse my belly feels the more exhausted I feel and anxiety is worse. The more stressed I get the easier I fatigue and more likely to pass out from the vaso vagal response. Build the gut up and hopefully all this begins to change. I wonder along with this obviously when we are so fatigued we are less likely to engage in thought provoking activities and new learning situations. Could the changes in the brain also be accounted for "a use it or lose it" type of situation. I know with dementia patients as the disease progress progresses the synapses are dying off and new learning can no longer take place and as a result those with dementia start to sleep more and more because the brain requires so much energy to continue to function. Another reason nutrition is so vital, without proper nutrition bodily functions start to slow and eventually die completely. Thanks for sharing this article. Veryhappy mom, I wonder what Dr. M would think about whole milk with cocao powder and maybe sweetened with agave or maple syrup? I know for athletes one of the best recovery drinks is chocolate milk. It has the protein, calcium, sodium, postassium, caffiene all vital nutrients to restore the body after a workout. Just came to mind as possibly a healthier version.He will be hydrating rather than depleting with a typical soft drink sugar rush followed by the hard crash, but still statisfying his sweet tooth in a healthier way. Dr. M probably has better ideas though.
OK so interesting you ask
OK so interesting you ask about the milk and the cacao-something I have always said OK to in limited amounts. Well, recently I am working with someone who I said OK to that for. Things were going along fine until....they werent fine. I kept asking, are you doing anything you shouldnt be...."no, no, no". OF so not. So I kept trying to fix it. Meanwhie her head was becoming more muddled and her energy in the toilet, and everything was going wrong wrong. Suddenly I got an email. It had not occured to her that the little bits of choc nibs or the milk and cacao had turned into lots of chocolate nibs and several cups per day of milk and cacao. And then she sent me an article about cacao having lots of yeast. Uhh, something I had not connected. She stopped, and then her syptoms abated tremendously. So long story short, yes, a little is OK, but most things in excess aren't. One big problem with imbalances in the abdomen/digestive tract is a little OCD type eating behavior so watch out for this tendancy-it simply goes along with the disorder for many reasons and it is necessary for one to recognize this fact and over ride it intellectually!:)
That is very interesting and
That is very interesting and glad it was finally figured out! I wasn't implying for a patient to try it, but for someone with non significant issues like very happy mom was asking for alternatives for her husband to try. Of course everything in moderation, but are you saying it is best for everyone to limit it because it is considered high in yeast and can potentially cause health issues like brain fog? Thanks!
Wow, typos! Main one though:
Wow, typos! Main one though: disease process progresses.
Dr B- what is teh verdict on
Dr B- what is the verdict on Carob? I know it is a legume. I used to love carob chips.